Vauxhall Antara Review

As one of the most polished models released by Vauxhall, it’s surprising that the Antara has lagged behind in sales. Competitors have caught up with fresher takes on the original and have offered higher profile opposition for the soft-road vehicle market. But Vauxhall refused to be left behind; its most recent generation sports an extensive makeover. Don’t let the similar, initial appearance fool you: the latest Antara features a brand new chassis, a redesigned interior, brand new diesel engines, improved vibration, harshness, and noise, just to name a few.

Pros

The latest Antara has introduced a front-wheel drive version for anyone after an entry-level vehicle. This kind comes with a 2.2 CDTi diesel, with a power of 161bhp and 258lb ft; its maximum torque peak is at 2000rpm. The more powerful alternative is the 181bhp at 295lbft, which also has a 2000rpm torque. The underfoot also sports more than enough torque into its automatic transmissions and six-speed manual.

The Antara also sports a long list of major improvements: the rigid steering gear, added windscreen lamination, improved NVH for the hydraulic engine mountings, sharpened steering precision, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, added detail to the front body frame, and vast ride improvements, Vauxhall made sure each aspect became a serious upgrade from its former life.

Upgrades and enhancements continue to the interior. New Antara owners will be treated to expansive storage space, classy and sleek instruments, seat upgrades, brand new door trims, and better lighting within the cabin. In terms of ride and handling, the Antara boasts of an impressive grip; suspension is able to firmly maintain body movement.

The cabin offers more than enough head and legroom. Plus the reclining seat and flat floor make the ride even more comfortable for people seated at the back. Five individuals can easily enjoy a long journey in the Antara.

Cons

Only two kinds of diesel engines are available for the Antara: the previously mention 2.2-litre diesel at 161bhp or at 181bhp. We recommend the latter over the former’s power as the 181bhp hesitates when pickup starts to become sluggish. Expect some cabin noise and vibration from the 2.2-litre engine, particularly in the form of road noise when going on motorway speeds. Although the automatic offers a smoother and quieter ride, the compromise comes in an even more sluggish pace. There’s a 2.4-litre petrol engine choice somewhere, but there’s barely any feedback on that one.

The manual gearchange also tends to be obstructive, despite the claims of future improvement from Vauxhall. At the sixth or fourth gear, the central storage box forces a sudden crank on the arm. It can get exhausting, so you might want to consider the Antara 4x4 automatic. Although a bit sluggish, it shifts more smoothly in both four-wheel and two-wheel drive types.

All entry-level Antaras offer basic alloy wheels and air-conditioning, but only the four-wheel drive versions offer the parking sensors and cruise control as default equipment. SE Nav models are the only versions with Bluetooth and automatic wipers; significant bonuses in equipment are scattered and depend on the kind of vehicle version you prefer.

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A history of the Vauxhall Antara

The Vauxhall Antara was introduced to the public with the goal of capturing the attention of the crossover SUV market. For this segment of the car market, the appeal lies in having a car that can take them seamlessly from the rugged roads to the urban jungle. The concept car was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005 and has been on sale in the UK since 2007.

Towards the end of 2010, the Antara’s manufacturer announced a facelift. The design on the front was revised, as well as the front and rear lights. There were also changes made on the diesel engine, chassis, interiors, and storage spaces, as well as making the electric parking brake and hill assistance system standard features.

In the UK market, there are currently three models available – the Exclusiv FWD, Exclusiv AWD, and the SE NAV. A main feature of the current Vauxhall Antara models is the All-wheel drive (AWD) wherein optimal traction is provided when driving in difficult conditions such as slippery non-paved roads. Another neat feature is the Descent Control System (DCS) which gives the care the ability to maintain a constant speed when descending.

Other lifestyle oriented SUVs that the Antara is up against are the Qashqai from Nissan, Kuga from Ford, Tiguan from VW, and the Sportage from Kia.